| Frequently Asked Questions About
DiscWizard
What
is DiscWizard?
Developed exclusively for Seagate by ONTRACK Data International, Inc. (formerly Ontrack
Computer Systems, Inc.), developers of hard disc installation and utility software,
DiscWizard is a suite of software programs designed to analyze a computer system and
create a set of tailor-made, step-by-step instructions that walk the user through the disc
drive installation.
How does DiscWizard differ from programs like
DiscWizard Starter Edition and EZ Drive™?
DiscWizard Starter Edition and EZ Drive
are DOS programs that are run after the new drive is installed, and their primary purpose
is to overcome BIOS limitations. They also offer "quick" formatting and
partitioning features. DiscWizard was designed to make installing a new drive easy, and is
targeted at the upgrade market. As such, it is usually run before users install their new
hard drives. DiscWizard analyzes the BIOS and other system characteristics and then
generates custom installation instructions which simplify the new drive installation.
DiscWizard also has formatting and partitioning capabilities. Because it runs in a Windows
environment, it is graphical and intuitive. DiscWizard Starter Edition is an integral part of DiscWizard
and is used during the installation process if DiscWizard detects BIOS issues.
Is DiscWizard available as a retail product?
No, DiscWizard is only
available with Seagate retail packaged drives, as well as with Seagate ATA drives over 2.1
Gbytes that are shipped into the distribution channel. Because DiscWizard is an
installation utility, it offers only marginal value as a stand-alone retail product.
Will the current software program (DiscWizard
Starter Edition) still
be pre-installed on Seagate drives?
DiscWizard Starter Edition will continue
to be pre-installed on Seagate ATA drives under 2.1 Gbytes that are shipped into the
distribution channel. ATA drives shipped into distribution that are greater than 2.1
Gbytes, and all retail drives, will be shipped with DiscWizard on a separate diskette.
DiscWizard Starter Edition is also included on the DiscWizard diskette for use with those systems that
can’t use the DiscWizard application (i.e. installations that do not have an existing
hard drive running Windows).
Is DiscWizard available on our BBS or Web site? Is it
available to existing Seagate drive users?
DiscWizard is not
available electronically. It is only available on a floppy diskette and only with new
drives. Also, DiscWizard is an installation utility and has little use once a drive has
been installed, so it offers little value to existing Seagate drive users.
Does DiscWizard work with all Seagate ATA drives,
including older drives? Does it work with competitive products?
When you select the
"Add A New Drive" function of DiscWizard, a pop-up list of drive models is
displayed. Only those Seagate products that are currently shipping into the retail channel
and Seagate ATA drives greater than 2.1 GB are on this list. DiscWizard does contain an
extensive database of drive jumper settings which is provided when a new Seagate drive is
being installed as a master or slave with an older Seagate drive or with a competitive
product.
What models does DiscWizard work with?
DiscWizard works with the
following announced products: ST 31275A, ST 31276A, ST31621A, ST31720A, ST32140A,
ST32161A, ST33440A, ST34250A, ST52160A, ST52520A.
Does DiscWizard allow ATA drives larger than 2.1 GB to
be installed on a PC?
Two issues face users
installing drives larger than 2.1 GB (4,096 cylinders). First, Windows and Windows
‘95 do not allow single volume sizes greater than approximately 2.1 GB. When
DiscWizard detects that a drive greater than 2.1 GB is being installed, it provides the
user with a choice to automatically partition the drive into two smaller volumes or to
custom partition the drive into as many as 24 partitions. Either choice overcomes the
Windows operating system limitation on large capacity drives.
The second issue that many
users may face is a legacy BIOS issue because many existing BIOS do not support large
capacity hard drives. If this condition is detected by DiscWizard, the user is directed to
run DiscWizard Starter Edition (supplied on the diskette) to overcome the BIOS Limitation.
What operating systems does DiscWizard work with?
Currently, DiscWizard
works with Windows 3.x and Windows ‘95. Other operating systems, such as OS/2 and
Windows NT are supported by DiscWizard Starter Edition which is included on the DiscWizard diskette.
Does DiscWizard work with SCSI drives?
DiscWizard is a desktop
drive installation utility, and as such, it works only with selected Seagate ATA drives.
When will DiscWizard be available?
DiscWizard is scheduled to
debut in August in Seagate retail products. DiscWizard will also ship with all ATA
distribution drives that are greater than 2.1 GB, and those models will be shipping late
in the third or early in the fourth calendar quarter of 1996. |
